The holiday season should feel joyful and festive, not overwhelming. But for many home cooks, hosting a holiday dinner turns into a race against the clock filled with last-minute prep, overcrowded ovens, and stressful guesswork.
At Fuego & Salt, we plan and execute holiday events of all sizes. With the right timing, portions, and preparation, any home cook can create a seamless, stress-free holiday dinner. Here is a step-by-step guide based on the same planning process we use for our catered events.
Build Your Holiday Cooking Timeline
Great dinners start with great timing. Here is a simple, reliable timeline that works for most holiday menus.
3 to 5 days before the event:
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Finalize your menu
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Shop for all non-perishables
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Make any sauces, marinades, and dressings
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Prep vegetables (wash, peel, chop) and store properly
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Prepare brines for turkey or meats
2 days before:
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Make casseroles (do not bake yet)
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Assemble stuffing
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Prepare desserts that store well
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Make dips, spreads, and cold appetizers
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Set the table or stage serving areas
1 day before:
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Bake desserts that cannot be frozen
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Cook and cool mashed potatoes (reheat with cream and butter)
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Assemble salads (without dressing)
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Pre-measure spices, herbs, and ingredients for day-of cooking
Day of the event:
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Roast meats according to weight and temperature
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Bake casseroles
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Warm sides
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Toss salads
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Plate appetizers
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Rest meats for at least 20 minutes before slicing
A well-planned schedule is the secret weapon behind a calm, confident holiday host.
How to Calculate Portions Per Guest
Running out of food is a holiday nightmare — but so is having leftovers for a week. Here is a professional breakdown:
Main proteins:
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Turkey: 1.25 to 1.5 pounds per person (bone-in)
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Ham: 3/4 pound per person
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Beef tenderloin: 1/2 pound per person
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Salmon or fish: 6 to 8 ounces per person
Side dishes:
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Potatoes: 1/2 pound per person
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Stuffing: 3/4 cup per person
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Vegetables: 1 cup per person
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Rolls or bread: 1 to 2 per person
Desserts:
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Pie: 1 slice per guest
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Cookies or bars: 2 to 3 per guest
These numbers help you avoid shortages and keep your grocery list efficient.
What You Can Make Ahead
Smart prep reduces kitchen chaos. Many dishes taste even better when prepared in advance.
Foods that store well:
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Mashed potatoes
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Stuffing
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Soups and stews
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Gravy (reheat gently)
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Cranberry sauce
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Casseroles
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Cheesecakes and pies
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Roasted vegetables
Great make-ahead appetizers:
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Cheese boards
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Charcuterie
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Dips and spreads
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Crostinis
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Cold platter items
Anything that can be made ahead should be — it frees up your oven and your mind.
What NOT To Cook on the Day Of
Certain foods do not hold well, change texture, or lose heat rapidly. Leave these to the last minute only if absolutely necessary.
Avoid these on the day of:
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Seafood (unless served immediately)
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Delicate greens (dress at serving time only)
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Fried foods (lose crispness fast)
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Cream-based sauces (separate easily)
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Dishes requiring high precision or long attention
If you want a calm kitchen, skip labor-intensive dishes on the main event day.
Emergency Fixes When Something Goes Wrong
Even pros run into issues — what matters is knowing how to recover quickly.
Problem: The turkey is taking too long.
Fix: Tent with foil and raise oven temp 25 degrees. Carve breasts off the bird and cook separately to save time.
Problem: Mashed potatoes are gluey or dense.
Fix: Fold in hot cream and melted butter. Never overmix.
Problem: Gravy is lumpy.
Fix: Blend with an immersion blender or strain through a fine sieve.
Problem: Vegetables came out mushy.
Fix: Toss with olive oil, salt, and roast at high heat to revive texture.
Problem: Not enough food for surprise guests.
Fix: Add instant sides like extra stuffing, rolls, or roasted vegetables. Pad the table with appetizers.
Problem: Something burns.
Fix: Remove salvageable portions immediately and mask flavor with herbs, lemon, or butter when possible.
Calm, quick adjustments keep the meal on track.
Make This Holiday Smooth, Easy, and Delicious
Holiday dinners do not have to be stressful. With the right prep, timeline, and strategy, you can host a beautiful meal without rushing, worrying, or burning out in the kitchen.
But if you want a truly effortless celebration, Fuego & Salt is here to help. We provide fully customized holiday catering for intimate dinners, family gatherings, corporate parties, and large events. Our team handles everything so you can enjoy the moment — not manage the chaos.
Contact Us Today to start planning your holiday meal today.
Fuego & Salt — Where every gathering begins with flavor.